Hybrid cosmetics have become one of the major beauty trends in recent years. The concept involves integrating active ingredients into makeup formulas to provide skincare benefits while simultaneously enhancing the appearance of the complexion, lips, or eyes.
The success of hybrid skincare.
Published on February 22, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min of reading
What exactly are hybrid skincare treatments?
A hybrid formula is a makeup product that contains active ingredients typically found in skincare treatments.
This trend, often referred to as "makeup-skincare", emerged a few years ago in Asia with the introduction of "BB cream" and "CC cream" type formulas. These products provide skin uniformity through the pigments they contain while also protecting it from UV rays. Indeed, they are generally enriched with sun filters and sometimes even with moisturising and/or nourishing active ingredients. Today, these products are ubiquitous; they have won over the biggest players in the beauty sector.
But what are the benefits of such formulas? One of the main advantages is the time-saving. Indeed, a hybrid care product can replace the use of two or even three products during one's beauty routine. Furthermore, in the era of minimalism and thoughtful, moderate consumption, they allow for decluttering of shelves and prevent the accumulation of products and packaging. In addition, they provide the skin with a light makeup with a natural finish.
Some examples of hybrid skincare treatments.
Hybrid skincare encompasses not only the complexion, but also the lips and eyes. Here is a non-exhaustive list of hybrid formulas available on the market:
Tinted serums and concealers to hydrate and even out the skin.
These are 2-in-1 treatments that provide benefits to the epidermis (hydration, protection, nutrition...) and contain pigments that blend with the skin to even out the complexion. For instance, the tinted serums from Typology are enriched with vitamin C, squalane and aloe vera to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin. The tinted concealers contain active ingredients such as niacinamide, caffeine, and cornflower hydrosol to reduce the appearance of dark circles and bags, while discreetly concealing them.
Mascaras for applying makeup and stimulating eyelash growth.
Some mascaras are enriched with active ingredients (for example biotinoyl tripeptide-1) which stimulate the growth of eyelashes, hair follicles intended to protect the eyes.
Tinted balms to protect and colour the lips.
These hybrid treatments provide benefits to the lips (hydration, protection, nutrition...) and contain pigments that colour them to add vibrancy to the face. For example, the tinted balms from Typology are indeed less pigmented than traditional lipsticks but are richer in nourishing and hydrating agents. Moreover, they can also serve as blush to tint the cheeks.
Eyeshadows for smoothing and colouring.
To emphasise one's gaze but also to reduce or smooth out the fine lines present on the eyelids and more broadly around the eye contour, certain eyeshadows are enriched with active ingredients such as galactoarabinan.
